Game device



Feb, 14, 1928. l 1,659,468

L. A. MILLER GAME DEVI CE Filed Aux. 9, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l /0 N 5 k (5i/v /2 /3 gwueno/o /7 Fy- /lZZef' Peb. 14, 192s. 1,659,468

L. A. MILLER GAME DEVICE Filed Aug. 9, `1926 2 Sheets-SheetI 2 www.,

Patented F eb. 14, 1928.

PATENT GFF'ICFE.

LOUIS A. MILLER, F KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

GAME DEVICE.

Application led AngiustB, 1926. Serial No. 128,254.

This invention relates to games and amusement devices, particularlyfthose of the projectile type, and has Jfor its object the provision of a novel and interesting game embodying the employment of a projectile in combination with either a playin court or a playing board or target, depen ing `upon Whether the gaine is to be played outdoors or indoors.

An important object is the provision of a game involving the use of an aerial projectile which may be thrown, kicked or otherwise propelled and which is adapted `to penetratingly engage within the surface of the ground in a playing court or within the surface of a'playing board or target, the

projectile being of such specific formation as to be capable of penetrating the surface in several different positions, the position governing the amount scored at each play.

Another object is the provision of a game device in which the court or playing surface is marked off in a peculiar manner and provided within certain areas with numerical indicia adapted to cooperate or be used in conjunction with the points gained by sticking of the projectile inthe playing surface at these areas for determining the score resulting from the individual play.

Another object is the provision of a game device of this character in which the playing court or surface may be arranged 1n different manners `depending upon the space available and other circumstances.

An additional object is to provide a game of this type in which the projectile itself will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to operate, certain in action, durable in service, and a general improvement in the art. n j 4 With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention preferably consists in the combination of a playing surface or court and projectile to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view of a court used in playing the game, the initial position of the projectile being shown thereon,

Figure 2 is a view of a lplaying surface which might be that of a court but which isparticularly designed for use as a target against which the projectile may be thrown, Figure 31s a perspective view of the projectile alone,

Figure 4 is an elevation thereotI showing one scoring position, i

Figure 5 is an elevation showing another scoring position,

Figure 6 is a similar View showing still another scoring position, and

Figjire 7 is an elevation showing an addi'- tional scoring position. Y Referring more particularly to the `drawings, land especially Figures `d to 7 inclusive, I have shown the projectile used in the playing of the game, this projectile being designated as a whole b the numeral 10 and being of substantially shape or resembling a jack-knife with two blades open, one eX- tending in alinement with the handle and the other extending at right angles thereto. The size of this projectile would necessarily depend upon whether the game is to be arranged for outdooror indoor playing, it beingquite obvious thatin the first instance the projectile would be `consider-addy larger than in the other case. i

This projectile 10 is preferably formed from a single `piece of metal and includes a handle portion 11, coextensive with which 'is a portion 12 which may be considered a blade and `from which extends a lateral blade 13. Both blades 12 and13are iointed asat 14 so that either will be capa le of sticking into the ground or the surface of a playing board, target or the like. The handle 11is'so shaped and of such size with respect to the blades asto insure pro er balancing so that the projectile will y true when propelled in any manner, whether by hand, foot or by means of some implement.

Regardless of the playing surface in connection with which the projectile isused, it

will `be clear that there are various positions which may be assumed when it comes to rest in penetrating engagement with the surface. In Figure 4 I have shown the blade 13 as in enetrating position with the handle 1l tilted downwardly, whereas Figure 5 shows the same blade in penetrating `position with the handle 11 and blade 12 extending horizontally. Another possible position is illustrated in Figure 6 which shows the device inclined with the blade l2 in penetrating position. lt is also evident that the device may extend vertically7 with the blade l2 penetrating the ground or otl er surface,

lvl

lill

as disclosed in Figure 7. lt is intended that each of these positions should have a differentsignificance in scoring, as for instance the positions shown in Figures et, 5, 6 and 7 may indicate one, two, three and four points respectively. @f course the number of points and their relation to these positions is arbitrary as any other ar angement and relation may be adopted, these being mentioned simply by way of illustration.

As mentioned above the projectile is capable of employment in connection with a court l5 such as that illustrated in Figure l, it being intended that this court be laid out on the ground and defined by longitudinal lines 16 and transverse lines 17 which may be the same or unequal distances apart as preferred, these lines defining a plurality of areas 18 which are preferably consecutively numbered.

ln the playing of the game in connection with a court of this type, it is intended that the projectile be initially driven into the soil, if the court be outdoors, or into whatever material bears the playing surface or court, if it be constructed for indoor use, at a point near but outwardly of one entlmost transverse line, as shown in Figure l. lt is a simple matter to place the projectile in such position as the operator may readily grasp it by the handle ll and by swinging the device into forcible engagement with the ground or other surface cause the blade to engage "penetratingly therein. 'llhe projectile having been thus positioned, it is given a quick or sudden jerk by means of the hand, foot or a propelling` stick or other device so as to cause the projectile to fly up into the air and turn or spin while passing therethrough. rlhe force of the jerk or blow is gauged to insure the projectile dropping onto the court or playing surface and it is preferable that it be caused to travel the maximum distance while still remaining within the contines of the court or playing surface inasmuch as the areas 18 have a progressively increasing score value as they recede from the starting point or place where the projectile is initially stuck. lf the projectile lands flat nothing is scored but if it penetrates the ground in any one of the four positions illustrated in Figures 4 to 7, the player receives a certain number of points depending upon the specific position, as above explained. 'lhe intention is that the number of points thus obtained be mult" plied by the number appearing in that area 1S in which the projectile lands. Any

desired number of players may engage in the game and any prefered or suitable rules may Lessines be formulated as may be found necessary in actual development and there may be certain penalties and advantages incident to various contingencies which may arise, all of which would be well calculated to increase the interest in and entertainment to be derived from the playing of the game.

llhile Figure l discloses a court primarily intended for outdoor use, Figure 2 discloses a modified form which, though capable of being inscribed or laid out upon a ground surface is better adapted for use if the game be constructed to be played indoors. This type of playing surface disclosed in Figure.

2 lends itself readily to the formation of a target which may be leaned against an embankment, tree or other support if used outdoors, or which might be suspended upon the wall or laid flat upon the floor, a table or the like if used indoors. If the game be constructed on a small scale for indoor use it is evident that the projectile would probably be used in a manner analogous to the handling of a knife in the playing of a popular game known as mumbley-peg. The type of playing surface ldisclosed in Figure 2 consists of a plurality of concentric circular lines 19 which define concentric ring-like areas 2O consecutively numbered as shown or in any other arbitrary manner. If this type of playing surface is employed scoring would be effected in a manner similar to that above described in connection with the court l5, the saine rules as to the number of points gained by the sticking in of the projectile in different positions applying, these points being intended to be multiplied by the number appearing in the ring-like area in which the projectile may stick.

Frein the foregoing description land a study of the drawings it will be apparent that l have thus provided a simple and easily played game and inexpensive apparatus for carrying it out, the combination beinO` such that a high degree of entertainment may be obtained with the exercise of a reasonable degree of skill and care. Naturally, the element of chance ente-rs into the game to a certain extent but skill is the principal factor especially in gauging the distance to the areas which count the highest in scoring.

While l have shown and described the numbered, and anaerial projectile adapted score points and said score points cooperatto impinge upon and penetratingly engage ing 'with the numbering of an area in which the surface, the projectile having a plurality the projectile lands to give a total score for 10 of penetrating points engagement of which an individual play.

w Within the playing surface is determined by In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

chance, the Various possible penetrating positions of the projectile giving different LOUIS A. MILLER. 

